Japan: Cabinet Greenlights More Room for Offshore Wind

On 9 March, the Cabinet of Japan decided on a bill to establish basic rules for development of offshore wind power in the general common sea area, and will now submit the draft legislation to the National Diet. 

The process would start with the Prime Minister preparing a basic policy to promote the use of marine areas for the development of offshore wind power, and the government would establish the policy through a decision at the Cabinet.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will consult with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of the Environment to designate a promotion area, after hearing the opinions of the councils and other relevant stakeholders.

Developers will submit their occupation plan offers to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, who will select the developers with the most appropriate occupation plan based on project specifics, supply price and other factors.

With their approved occupation plans, developers will then apply for FIT certification with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. They will also apply for a permission to occupy the site with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, who would then issue a lease permit for up to 30 years.

The new bill follows Japan Wind Power Association’s (JWPA) request submitted to the Japanese government in December 2017, when JWPA asked for a new law which would allow construction of offshore wind farms outside port-related sea areas, and proposed the introduction of guaranteed long-term site leases of up to 30 years, as well as using a bidding system to select offshore wind developers.

So far, offshore wind sites have only been designated in Japan’s port-related areas.

Offshore WIND Staff